Thai Tofu-Pork Soup Recipe
Note: You can use plain water to make this soup. But if you feel like using broth, keep in mind that the basic stock that is used in modern Thai cuisine is most commonly made with pork bones or chicken carcasses and not much else. If you use the kind of stock that is made with added onions, carrots, celery, tomato paste, etc., it will drastically change the flavor and appearance of this soup. I use plain water; the flavor of the pork and seasoning paste in it as well as the soy sauce and fish sauce which you add later are enough to turn it into a flavorful broth even within such short cooking time.
Please note that, at least traditionally, this is not a stand-alone soup to be eaten on its own, but an entrée to be eaten with rice as part of a typical Thai meal ensemble. I highly recommend a meal of rice, Thai omelet (drizzled with Thai Sriracha), and a bowl of this soup for a simple weeknight meal.
Recipe Facts
Ingredients
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2 medium cloves garlic (10g), peeled
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1/4 cup finely-chopped cilantro stems, plus leaves for garnish
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1/2 teaspoon whole white peppercorns
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1/2 pound (225g) ground pork
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1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons (25ml) light soy sauce
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1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon (20ml) fish sauce
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4 1/2 cups (1.1L) homemade or store-bought chicken stock or water
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1 pound (455g) soft tofu packed in water, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
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2 green onions (20g), cut into 1-inch pieces
Directions
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In a mortar and pestle, combine garlic, cilantro stems, and peppercorns and pound until a fine paste forms, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.
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Add ground pork, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon fish sauce. Using your hands or a sturdy silicone spatula, mix until thoroughly combined, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
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In a medium pot, bring chicken stock or water to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Form seasoned pork mixture into 1-inch balls and gently drop into simmering stock. Cook until pork balls float, about 2 minutes.
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Add remaining soy sauce and fish sauce to stock. Gently add tofu cubes and return to a simmer, then add green onions and remove from heat. Adjust seasoning as necessary with more fish sauce.
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Ladle soup into individual serving bowls. Garnish with cilantro leaves. Some freshly-ground white pepper on top is optional, but recommended. Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.
This Recipe Appears In
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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267 | Calories |
16g | Fat |
4g | Carbs |
29g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 267 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 16g | 20% |
Saturated Fat 5g | 23% |
Cholesterol 55mg | 18% |
Sodium 1050mg | 46% |
Total Carbohydrate 4g | 2% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 6% |
Total Sugars 2g | |
Protein 29g | |
Vitamin C 3mg | 17% |
Calcium 358mg | 28% |
Iron 3mg | 19% |
Potassium 464mg | 10% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |